School zone safety high priority

POLICE will be out in force to ensure that motorists obey school zone speed limits when term one starts next week.

Students will return to school statewide across three days from Monday.

Police urge road users to watch for school zone signs and to obey reduced speed limits during specified times.

Penalties for offending drivers will be assessed on an individual basis.

Senior Sergeant Luke Moore, of Northern Road and Public Order Services, said police would monitor drivers in school zones throughout next week.

He said the ``excitement and confusion'' among large numbers of students being dropped off at school simultaneously, including many first-time students, could lead to issues.

``One of the regular problems that we will police is parents who are unable to find a park, just parking on the school crossing,'' Senior Sergeant Moore said. ``This is a marked zone and they are not allowed to stop there.''

RACT motoring services manager Peter Gillon said that RACT members complained each year about unruly behaviour during school drop-off and pick-up times.

``Obey the speed limits, manoeuvre and park your vehicle responsibly and watch out especially for children who may suddenly run on to the road,'' he said.